Osteoporosis drugs may lower mortality risk by 34%

New research has found a correlation between taking osteoporosis drugs and a lower risk of premature mortality. However, many people ignore their doctor’s advice when it comes to taking medication for bone health, the investigators note. Researchers have found an association between taking drugs for osteoporosis and a significantly lower death risk. Osteoporosis is an […]

New research has found a correlation between taking osteoporosis drugs and a lower risk of premature mortality. However, many people ignore their doctor’s advice when it comes to taking medication for bone health, the investigators note.

Researchers have found an association between taking drugs for osteoporosis and a significantly lower death risk.

Osteoporosis is an age related condition that renders bone frailer and more prone to fractures. While this condition is more common in women, it also affects many men too.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), osteoporosis of the femur neck or lumbar spine — the most widespread forms of osteoporosis — affect 24.5% of women and 5.1% of men who are 65 years of age or over in the United States.

Following an initial fracture related to osteoporosis, doctors will usually recommend drugs to support bone health. Some of the osteoporosis drugs that doctors most commonly prescribe are nitrogen bisphosphonates and etidronate, a nonnitrogen bisphosphonate.

New investigations from the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Darlinghurst, Australia, have now revealed that the use of some of these drugs — which leads to lower bone loss rates — correlates with a significantly lower mortality risk.

However, according to the study authors, many people whose doctors have prescribed osteoporosis drugs after an initial fragility fracture do not follow that prescription.

“It’s a common misconception that osteoporosis affects only women, and many people choose to not take recommended treatments,” notes study co-author Prof. Jacqueline Center.

“But osteoporotic fractures are not benign,” she warns. “Osteoporosis medication not only decreases the risk of further fractures — but it appears that this same medication also decreases mortality rates over the subsequent 15 years.”

Lower death risk tied to lower bone loss

This investigation revealed that study participants in the nitrogen bisphosphonates group — alendronate and risedronate — had a 34% lower risk of premature death. However, when the researchers looked at each nitrogen bisphosphonate separately, they saw that it was only alendronate that produced this effect, and not risedronate.

In the second study, the team conducted a further analysis, using data from a cohort that had also enrolled in the Canadian Multicentre Osteoporosis Study. More specifically, they assessed the data of 1,735 female participants aged 50 and over. In this case, they excluded the male participants because very few of them met the study criteria.

This time, the research revealed that participants who took nitrogen bisphosphonates had a lower rate of bone loss as well as a lower mortality risk. The authors estimate that a lower rate of femoral neck bone loss, in particular, contributed to around 39% of the reduction in mortality seen in this group.

The researchers hope that their recent findings may encourage individuals with osteoporosis to take their drug prescriptions seriously and follow their doctors’ advice.

“For many individuals with osteoporosis, bone health isn’t front-of-mind. We hope our study results will encourage people with osteoporosis or at risk of a fracture to seek treatment — and commit to taking it.”

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Adrenalin and cortisol drive our fight-or-flight response. Or so we thought until now. A new study points the finger at the bone molecule osteocalcin as being a central player in this survival mechanism. Could our bones be central to how we react to stressful situations? The acute stress response, or the fight-or-flight response, is a survival mechanism that allows animals to react quickly to threatening situations. In humans, a familiar adrenalin rush accompanies the feeling of danger. We prepare to fight off the imminent threat or escape from it before our bodies and minds calm down and return to a resting state. At the physiological level, the acute stress response sees the sympathetic nervous system send a signal to the adrenal glands, which release adrenalin and cortisol in response. A rise in body temperature, an increase in readily available energy in the blood in the form of glucose, as well as faster heartbeats and breaths, follow this. However, questions remain over the main drivers behind the process. In a paper in the journal Cell Metabolism, Dr. Gerard Karsenty, a professor in the Department of Genetics and Development at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, explains that glucocorticoid hormones, […]

What is Erleada? Erleada is a brand-name prescription medication that’s used to treat nonmetastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (NM-CRPC) in adult men. This type of prostate cancer: is not metastatic, which means it has not spread to other parts of your body is castration-resistant, which means that therapy to reduce levels of testosterone (a hormone) in your body doesn’t work to treat it Erleada contains the drug apalutamide. It comes as an oral tablet that’s taken once daily. Erleada is given to people with NM-CRPC who are either: taking another medication in combination with Erleada to lower testosterone in their body, or have already had surgery to remove their testicles Clinical studies showed that Erleada reduced the risk of NM-CRPC progression and spread by 72%. During studies, people with NM-CRPC who took Erleada had no spreading of cancer for 40 months. People with NM-CRPC who did not take Erleada had cancer spreading after 16 months. FDA approval Erleada was the first drug approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat NM-CRPC. The FDA approved Erleada in February 2018. A similar drug called Xtandi was FDA-approved in July 2018. Xtandi can also be used to treat NM-CRPC. Erleada generic Erleada […]

Sun-sensitizing drugs (photosensitivity) definition and facts Many common medications cause photosensitivity in some people when exposed to sunlight. Sun-sensitive or photosensitive drugs are drugs that cause a moderate to severe skin reaction that is similar to a bad sunburn when exposed to the sun (UV rays), usually the forehead, nose, hands, arms, and lips. Many common medications cause this reaction in some people. Usually, the allergic reaction appears within 24 hours of sun exposure and resolves when the blisters from the rash peel and slough off. Symptoms of sun sensitivity are similar to those of a sunburn, and may include: A stinging and burning sensation Rash Redness Pain Blisters Inflammation and swelling Itching Darkening of the skin The photoallergic reactions may happen after several days of exposure to sun. Ultraviolet exposure causes the body’s immune system to see a drug as an invader (antigen). The immune system initiates an allergic response and causes inflammation of the skin in the sun-exposed areas. Photoallergic reactions resemble eczema and are generally chronic. Common types of phototoxic drugs include: What is photosensitivity (sun sensitivity)? Photosensitivity (or sun sensitivity) is inflammation of the skin induced by the combination of sunlight and certain medications or substances. […]

By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Prevention & Wellness News FRIDAY, Sept. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Some things that you can do to protect your health take just minutes, so no more excuses! Here are 10 suggestions from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors every month. Yes, this is an addition to changing the batteries once a year. Wash your child’s toys just as you do your hands. (Think of how much time they spend on the floor.) Wipe up spills as soon as they happen to avoid bacteria growth. Put together a mini health kit and tuck it into your daily tote. Include adhesive bandages, alcohol wipes, pain relief medication, hand sanitizer, a mini tube of sun protection and an instant ice pack. Make that wellness appointment you’ve been putting off. Ask if you need a tetanus booster. It’s a must every 10 years. Put the poison control number — 800-222-1222 — on all phones, and make sure all family members know when to call it. Before leaving the house do a double check for safety. That means putting on sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat for a walk and other […]

Placenta previa definition and facts Placenta previa is diagnosed by an ultrasound examination. Placenta previa is the attachment of the placenta to the wall of the uterus in a location that completely or partially covers the uterine outlet (opening of the cervix). Bleeding after the 20th week of gestation is the main symptom of placenta previa. An ultrasound examination is used to establish the diagnosis of placenta previa. Treatment of placenta previa involves bed rest and limitation of activity. Tocolytic medications, intravenous fluids, and blood transfusions may be required depending upon the severity of the condition. A Cesarean delivery is required for complete placenta previa. Other complications of pregnancy can be associated with placenta previa, but the majority of women deliver healthy babies. What is placenta previa? Placenta previa is the most common cause of painless bleeding in the later stages of pregnancy (after the 20th week). The placenta is a temporary organ that joins the mother and fetus and transfers oxygen and nutrients from the mother to the fetus. The placenta is disk-shaped and at full term measures about seven inches in diameter. The placenta attaches to the wall of the uterus (womb). Placenta previa is a complication that […]

Latest Heart News THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Heart attack patients often take longer to seek help if they have gradual symptoms, which may put them at increased risk of death, researchers say. Gradual symptoms begin with mild discomfort that slowly worsens, while abrupt symptoms are sudden and severe pain, according to authors of a study published Sept. 12 in the European Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing. “Both are a medical emergency and require urgent help,” said study author Sahereh Mirzaei, from the University of Illinois at Chicago. “But our study shows that gradual symptoms are not taken seriously.” She and her team analyzed data from 474 heart attack patients seen at U.S. emergency departments. Symptoms were gradual in 44% and abrupt in 56% of these patients. Overall, the average time between the start of symptoms and arrival at the hospital was four hours. Those with gradual symptoms waited eight hours to seek medical help, compared to 2.6 hours for those with abrupt symptoms. A delay of no more than two hours is recommended for the best outcomes. Waiting longer increases patients’ risk of serious complications and death, according to the researchers. Both women and men sought medical help […]

Latest Heart News THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — Not all strokes have a clear-cut cause like high blood pressure or smoking. For those so-called cryptogenic strokes, new research suggests cancer might be the trigger – a finding that could potentially lead to earlier diagnosis of cancer. It came down to genes. Using blood samples, researchers looked at more than 12,000 genes and found 438 that acted differently in stroke survivors with cancer. “No one before had differentiated gene expression between patients with cancer, stroke or both,” said Dr. Babak Navi, lead author of the study published Thursday in the American Heart Association journal Stroke. Innovative research on how genes change in people with different diseases could lead to new diagnostic tests and treatments. Although the study included only 40 people, “we clearly see that cancer-stroke patients have a unique gene expression profile,” said Navi, chief of stroke and hospital neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York. A blood test would be “easier, safer and less expensive than a CT or PET scan to diagnose cancer,” he said. Dr. Christine Holmstedt, medical director of clinical stroke services at Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, […]

You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.

You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.

You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.

You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.

You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.

You have chosen to share the following article: How elderberries can help you fight the flu To proceed, simply complete the form below, and a link to the article will be sent by email on your behalf.Note: Please don’t include any URLs in your comments, as they will be removed upon submission. We do not store details you enter into this form. Please see our privacy policy for more information. Message sent successfully The details of this article have been emailed on your behalf. Click here to return to the Medical News Today home page.

New research in mice suggests that gut microbes have a role in regulating muscle mass and function. New research in mice finds that rodents without gut bacteria had weaker muscles. The findings offer fresh clues not only on how muscles function, grow, and develop but also on how they communicate with the nerves that control movement. The revelations also point to potential new directions for addressing the loss of muscle mass and strength that typically accompanies aging. Scientists at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore led the international study, which features in a recent Science Translational Medicine paper. They compared strength and movement in mice as they underwent a series of exercises in the laboratory. Some of the mice were germ-free and had no gut microbes or microbiota, while the rest were normal, healthy mice that had gut microbes. The researchers found that the mice without gut microbes had weaker skeletal muscles and produced less energy than the mice with gut microbes. In addition, the team found that transplanting gut microbes from normal mice into germ-free mice increased muscle mass and strength in the latter. This intervention also led to partial restoration of muscle growth and function in the previously […]

In a small clinical trial, scientists were looking for a means to restore the thymus — the gland that forms and releases key immune cells. By doing so, they actually managed to reverse various aspects of biological aging. A three-pronged intervention demonstrates it may be possible to reverse biological aging. The thymus gland, located between the lungs, is the organ within which T cells — a critical population of immune cells — mature. This gland also has a peculiarity. After a person reaches puberty, it begins a process of involution, which means that it becomes less and less active and starts to shrink in size gradually. Studies have shown that thymic involution affects the size of immune cell populations related to it, possibly causing changes to biological mechanisms when people reach their 60s. Prof. Steve Horvath from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Public Health and colleagues initially set out to see if they could restore function in the aging thymus. In the study paper they recently published in the journal Aging Cell, they explain that “[t]hymic involution leads to the depletion of critical immune cell populations, […] and is linked to age‐related increases in cancer incidence, infectious […]

More evidence of the human brain’s incredible plasticity has come to the fore through a new study of foot painters — professional painters who paint with their feet. Using the feet as hands, the study shows, has led the brain to “see” toes as fingers — almost. A new study shows just how adaptable the human brain is. The somatosensory cortex is the region of the brain that receives and processes sensory stimuli from the body, including those of touch. In this brain region, each finger is mapped separately as an independent entity. In humans, the same is not typically true of toes. Yet nonhuman primates, which use hands and feet equally for dextrous activities, such as climbing, do have distinct brain areas for each finger and toe. In a new study, led by researchers from University College London (UCL), in the United Kingdom, the investigators were interested in finding out whether human brains are able to adapt and learn to “view” each toe separately, much like their fingers. The researchers worked with two foot artists — both males in their 50s — since painting requires dexterity and precision, meaning that individuals who use their feet for such dextrous activities […]

What causes abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly? Abnormal vaginal bleeding in women who are ovulating regularly, most commonly involve excessive, frequent, irregular, or decreased bleeding. Some of the common conditions that produce each of these symptoms are discussed below. Excessively heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia) Excessively heavy menstrual bleeding, called menorrhagia, is menstrual bleeding of greater than about eight tablespoons per month (normal menstrual bleeding produces between two and eight tablespoons per cycle). The most common pattern of menorrhagia is excessive bleeding that occurs in regular menstrual cycles and with normal ovulation. There are several important reasons that menorrhagia should be evaluated by a doctor. First, menorrhagia can cause a woman substantial emotional distress and physical symptoms, such as severe cramping. Second, the blood loss can be so severe that it causes a dangerously lowered blood count (anemia), which can lead to medical complications and symptoms such as dizziness and fainting. Third, there can be dangerous causes of menorrhagia that require more urgent treatment. Benign (noncancerous) causes of menorrhagia include: Though not common, menorrhagia can be a sign of endometrial cancer. A potentially precancerous condition known as endometrial hyperplasia can also result in abnormal vaginal bleeding. This […]

Sunburn and sun poisoning definition and facts Picture of acute sunburn Sunburn is an inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to UV radiation from the sun. UV radiation damages the skin the eyes. Immediate symptoms of a sunburn are hot, red, tender skin; pain when the skin is touched or rubbed; and dehydration. Several days after sun exposure the skin may, swell, blister, peel, and itch. Most sunburns are mild and can be treated at home with natural home remedies that provide pain relief, treat and sooth blisters, peeling, and skin inflammation. Examples of home remedies for sunburn pain relief include: applying damp cloths or compresses to reduce the pain, soaking in slightly warm with no soap, gently patting the skin dry, applying soothing creams or lotions, using OTC pain relievers for pain and inflammation, for example, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen (Advil) and aspirin. moisturizing the skin. Sunburn may cause permanent skin damage and skin cancer (malignant melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma). UVB as well as UVA rays may cause damage to skin. UV rays may bounce off water, sand, snow, and other surfaces causing sunburn. People with certain pigment disorders like […]

What is chlamydia? Chlamydia is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the U.S. It is an infection with the bacteria known as Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is very similar to gonorrhea in its symptoms and pattern of transmission. It is important to note that many people (both women and men) who are infected with chlamydia do not have any symptoms and may not be aware that they have the infection. Chlamydia infection can cause permanent damage to the fallopian tubes in a woman and can lead to future infertility and an increase risk of ectopic pregnancy. Chlamydia infection during pregnancy also increases a woman’s risk of preterm labor and of having a baby with low birth weight. Lymphogranuloma venereum is another type of STD that is common in the developing world and is caused by a different strain of the Chlamydia bacteria. Chlamydia Symptoms and Signs Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD). It affects both men and women and, in most cases, does not cause any symptoms. When it does produce symptoms and signs, these may not appear for weeks after your infection. Symptoms in women include: burning with urination and an abnormal vaginal discharge; abdominal […]

By Peter Schelden on 09/12/2019 3:20 PM Latest Pregnancy News Source: MedicineNet Health News A new study has identified a trend concerning the health of pregnant women. Women who become pregnant today face a significantly higher risk of high blood pressure than they did 40 years ago, according to the study published Sept. 9 in the journal Hypertension. For this study, researchers evaluated CDC records from more than 151 million US births between 1970 and 2010. They found that a woman who became pregnant in 2010 faced a hypertension risk 13 times higher than in 1970. Researchers were “very surprised” to find that obesity and smoking trends had “virtually no impact” on the hypertension trend. Instead, study authors attribute much of the rise to the increase in pregnancy later in life. The study also found the risk of hypertension during pregnancy is roughly twice as high in black women compared to white women. What It Means to You If you are pregnant, high blood pressure can develop even if you never had high blood pressure before, writes William C. Shiel Jr., MD, FACP, FACR, chief editor of MedicineNet. Pregnant women face special risks, including premature delivery, decreased blood flow to […]

Latest Neurology News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk of suicide among U.S. military veterans who have suffered a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is more than double that of other vets, a new study finds. Researchers analyzed records of more than 1.4 million vets who received care from the U.S. Veterans Health Administration (VHA) between 2005 and 2015. They compared severity of the traumatic brain injury with diagnoses of psychiatric and other medical conditions, along with method of death in suicide cases. After adjusting for depression and other mental health diagnoses, the researchers found that veterans with moderate or severe TBI were 2.45 times more likely to die by suicide than those without TBI. The study only found an association and not a cause-and-effect link, however. During the study period, the suicide rate was 86 per 100,000 person years for those with TBI and 37 per 100,000 person years for others. A person year is a formula that accounts for the number of people in a study and how long they were followed. Of vets studied who died by suicide, 68% used guns. The rate was 78% among vets with moderate or severe TBI, according to the […]

By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Neurology News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you use your feet like hands from birth, the brain will create a different “map” of the toes that’s more like the one it has for the fingers, new research reveals. That’s the case with Tom Yendell and Peter Longstaff, two foot artists in the United Kingdom who were born with no hands and paint with their feet. Researchers compared functional MRI images of their brains to images of nine people born with their limbs intact. The investigators found that those who use their feet and toes to paint have a separate area mapped out in the brain for each toe individually. And the “toe maps” were found in the area of the brain usually reserved for fingers. Most humans have an area in the brain for toes, but they’re all lumped together. Fingers typically each have their own distinct area in humans. However, in non-human primates, each toe has its own distinct area in the brain. While the toe artists had a specific area in the brain mapped out for each toe, they struggled to move each toe independently. They did seem to have […]

Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Variations in brain activity when a person is idle may affect their decisions about risky behavior, according to a new study. The findings may help explain why people are inconsistent — and sometimes irrational — and could lead to new treatments for gambling addiction, the researchers said. “Experts have long struggled to explain why people are so erratic, making one decision one day and the opposite decision another day. We know that the brain is constantly active, even when we aren’t doing anything, so we wondered if this background activity affects our decision-making,” said study co-lead author Tobias Hauser. He’s an investigator at University College London Queen Square Institute of Neurology in England. “It appears that our inconsistent behavior is partly explained by what our brain is doing when we are doing nothing,” he added. The study included 43 people who were given two gambling choices. One was a safe choice that would pay a little money; the other was a risky option in which they could try for a bigger payoff, but would get nothing if they lost. The researchers used MRI scans to monitor activity in a […]

By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Healthy Kids News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Teens who spend more time with social media are more likely to suffer from social withdrawal, anxiety or depression, a new study says. Twelve- to 15-year-olds who spent more than six hours a day on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and other social media were nearly three times more likely to have these types of “internalizing” mental health issues, researchers report in the journal JAMA Psychiatry. The study was published online Sept. 11. “The more time you spent on social media, adolescents were more likely to have issues like anxiety and depression on follow-up,” said lead researcher Kira Riehm, a doctoral student at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore. “It was a pretty clear-cut association.” These teens also were more than four times as likely to have both internalizing and externalizing mental health problems, researchers said. Externalizing problems include bullying, acting out and having trouble paying attention. For the study, researchers analyzed nationwide data from a U.S. federally funded survey of nearly 6,600 teens. It was conducted between 2013 and 2016. Fewer than 17% of teens said they used no social media, researchers found. […]

Latest Healthy Kids News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The epidemic of opioid addiction and abuse ravaging the United States is also affecting teenagers. Now, research confirms that anti-addiction medications that help adult abusers can also help teen patients. “Adolescents with severe opioid use disorder may benefit from a medication as part of a larger comprehensive treatment plan,” said study lead author Dr. Deepa Camenga, from the Yale School of Medicine. Her team noted that while the effectiveness of meds such as methadone, buprenorphine or naltrexone in treating adults with opioid addiction is well-established, the evidence for younger patients has been unclear. To help remedy that, the Yale researchers analyzed data from 14 studies published between 1973 and 2018. They conclude that teens with opioid addiction can be treated with methadone, buprenorphine (Subutex/Suboxone) or extended-release naltrexone (Vivitrol). The study was published Sept. 11 in the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. There’s a pressing need for such treatments, the researchers noted. “In 2017, 900 adolescents started misusing opioid pain relievers each day,” they wrote. So parents who discover that their child is abusing opioids “should try to consult with an addiction psychiatry or medicine specialist to see […]

What should I know about group B strep? Group B strep bacteria can cause infections in a pregnant woman and her baby. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) are bacteria found normally in the intestine, vagina, and rectum in about 25% of all healthy pregnant women. Group B strep infections can affect newborn babies and adults. Most pregnant women who are colonized by the bacteria have no symptoms. The infection can be spread to infants before or during birth. Signs and symptoms of GBS neonatal infection may include fever, breathing problems, seizures, lethargy, and poor feeding. Medical professionals diagnose GBS infection by isolating the organism from body fluids. A positive result means that a person is GBS-positive. The treatment for GBS infection is antibiotics. Complications of GBS infection include sepsis, pneumonia, meningitis, or occasionally death. The prognosis for GBS infection depends on the patient’s age and underlying medical conditions. In pregnant women, prevention of transmitting GBS infection is best achieved by routine screening for colonization with GBS. Group B Strep Screening Common Tests During the Third Trimester of Pregnancy Group B streptococcus (GBS) is a type of bacteria that can exist in the female reproductive tract without causing symptoms. Up to 30% […]

Latest Heart News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (American Heart Association News) — While in the hospital recovering from a stroke, 21-year-old Alex Leary was trying to make sense of what happened when she got a text message from a co-worker she barely knew. Vicky King wrote that she understood what Leary was going through. A few years earlier, King survived a stroke at 21. “I couldn’t believe the odds that someone I worked with had the same experience,” Leary said. United by this unusual experience, the two became fast friends. Together they have navigated the stages of recovery and worked to raise awareness about the risks and symptoms of stroke at any age. Leary’s story began during a backyard barbecue in September 2017. Calling out to a friend, the words came out garbled. “I realized it didn’t sound right, so I tried speaking again and started to feel my face drooping,” she said. Her friends called 911. By the time police arrived a few minutes later, her right side felt numb. She couldn’t walk or speak clearly. “The police kept asking how much I’d had to drink,” she said. “They thought it was alcohol.” Leary didn’t know she had the […]

By Alan MozesHealthDay Reporter Latest Exercise & Fitness News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — If you’re looking for incentives to hit the gym, new research suggests that staying in good shape may help preserve brain structure, boost memory, and improve the ability to think clearly and quickly. The finding follows an analysis of fitness and brain health among more than 1,200 young adults, average age 30. All underwent brain scans; tests to measure memory, sharpness, judgment and reasoning; and a speed-walking trial to assess cardiovascular fitness. (Muscle strength was not assessed.) The investigators found that study participants who moved faster and farther over the two-minute walking test performed better on thinking tests than their less-fit peers. Fitter men and women were also found to have healthier nerve fibers across the white matter portion of the brain. White matter is critical for high-quality neural communication, the researchers noted. Study lead author Dr. Jonathan Repple offered several theories as to what might explain a strong body/strong brain connection. For one, “exercise decreases inflammation, which then, in turn, is beneficial for brain cells,” said Repple, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist with the University of Muenster, in Germany. Being fit may also promote […]

By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Diet & Weight Management News THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Could your genes be keeping you from losing weight? While you shouldn’t use a family tendency toward wide hips or an apple shape as an excuse to stray from a healthy diet, acceptance can help you reassess your personal ideal and make you happier with your body. Hundreds of genes have been linked to weight. Some affect where fat is distributed on your body while others impact metabolism, cravings and even whether you reach for food to cope with stress. Their influence on overweight can be as little as 25% or as much as 80%. Signs that genes could be connected to your innate weight include having one or both parents who are overweight, and having a hard time losing weight even with strict dieting and exercise. But the answer isn’t to starve yourself. That can backfire, putting your body into starvation mode and slowing metabolism and weight loss even more. It can also leave you feeling fatigued and cranky from a lack of food — on top of frustration about your physical appearance. You can’t change your genes but you can improve […]

What is strep throat? If strep throat is treated with antibiotics, it is no longer contagious after 24 hours. Strep throat is a contagious throat infection usually caused by group A streptococcal bacteria. The incubation period for strep throat is between 1-5 days after being exposed to the bacteria. Strep throat is often accompanied by symptoms and signs, for example: Strep throat is one of many causes of inflammation of the pharynx (pharyngitis), also referred to as sore throat. Streptococcus spp. are the most common bacterial species to cause a sore throat (15%-30% of pharyngitis in children and about 5 to 10% in adults). A rapid strep test can be done in your doctor’s office to determine if you have strep or a sore throat. Usually, people with strep throat are treated with antibiotics and aren’t contagious for about 24 hours after starting the antbiotics. However, strep throat that is not treated with antibiotics is contagious for about 2-3 weeks after exposure. There are many other causes of sore throat including many viruses, bacteria other than strep, allergies, acid reflux, and tumors. Your doctor can help sort through the causes of your sore throat. Is strep throat contagious? Strep throat is contagious […]

Sore throat definition and facts Picture of a Girl with Sore Throat Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. Sore throat symptoms include pain, burning, or scratching sensations at the back of the throat, pain when swallowing, and tenderness in the neck. In addition to a sore throat, other common signs and symptoms may be include: Home remedies for sore throat include: Gargling wiht salt water Throat sprays or lozenges (Do not give lozenges to young children beause they are a choking hazard.) Humidifiers Any sore throat that has a rapid onset and is associated with a fever or tenderness of the front of the neck may be serious and should be seen by a doctor. Any sore throat that causes difficulty swallowing (not just pain with swallowing) or breathing should be seen by a doctor. Any sore throat that lasts for more than a week should be evaluated by a health-care professional. If you are pregnant and your sore throat symptoms are severe or do not resolve in three days, seek medical attention. Seek medical care immediately if you have a sore throat and are […]

Latest Cancer News THURSDAY, Sept. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in American men, so it’s important to know the risk factors and warning signs, an expert says. The American Cancer Society estimates there will be nearly 175,000 new prostate cancer cases in the United States this year and over 31,000 deaths. One in nine men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime. “The disease can be successfully treated when detected early, typically when it is still within the prostate gland,” said Dr. Alexander Kutikov, chief of urologic oncology at the Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia. “However, some types are aggressive and can spread quickly. In these cases, there may be a lesser chance of successful treatment.” September is National Prostate Cancer Awareness month. Men between 55 and 69 years of age should consider prostate cancer screening, according to the American Urological Association. “Because screening has its advantages and disadvantages, not every man should be screened for prostate cancer,” Kutikov said. “Men should discuss their risk factors, screening options and preferences with their health care provider before deciding whether to be screened.” Symptoms of prostate cancer may include trouble urinating, […]

By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Cancer News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Folks who use medical marijuana need to beware of super-concentrated products now on the market, a new case report warns. A 52-year-old brain cancer patient taking a pot concentrate to boost his appetite landed in the ER after taking a dose 35 times stronger than a recreational user might take, said report author Dr. Jeanmarie Perrone, director of toxicology and addiction medicine with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Medical marijuana is legal in Pennsylvania. “What he did is what we see patients do all the time: ‘Let’s try a little bit. Oh, I’m not sure I got it,’” she said. “It becomes dangerous to measure or absorb or get the right quantity when it is so concentrated.” The patient appeared in the emergency room in a state of extreme delirium, Perrone said. “He was quite confused. He was acting bizarre,” she said. “He had a history of a brain tumor, so of course our first possibilities when evaluating him was he had a complication from his brain tumor.” Tests revealed that wasn’t the case, which left doctors scratching their heads. “It was […]

Latest Cancer News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ten cancer drugs being tested in human clinical trials appear to work — but not in the ways their developers thought they would, researchers say. “The idea for many of these drugs is that they block the function of a certain protein in cancer cells. And what we showed is that most of these drugs don’t work by blocking the function of the protein that they were reported to block,” said study co-leader Jason Sheltzer, a fellow at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory in New York. The drugs — being tested on about 1,000 patients — do appear capable of killing cancer cells, according to the authors of the study published Sept. 11 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The study arose from work by Sheltzer’s lab to identify genes tied to low survival rates among cancer patients. The researchers discovered that a protein called MELK, which is often abundant in tumors, plays no role in cancer growth. That was a surprise, because dozens of academic papers had identified MELK as essential for a cancer cell’s survival. But when Sheltzer’s team turned off MELK production using gene-editing technology, this had no […]

Latest Alzheimer’s News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Sleep loss is a problem for people who care for loved ones with dementia, which can put both caregivers and patients at risk, researchers say. Investigators at Baylor University in Waco, Texas, found caregivers lost between 2.5 to 3.5 hours of sleep a week due to difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep. “Losing 3.5 hours of sleep per week does not seem much, but caregivers often experience accumulation of sleep loss over years,” said review lead author Chenlu Gao, a doctoral candidate of psychology and neuroscience. “Losing 3.5 hours of sleep weekly on top of all the stress, grief and sadness can have a really strong impact on caregivers’ cognition, and mental and physical health,” Gao added in a university news release. But improving caregivers’ sleep quality can significantly improve their functioning and quality of life, Gao said. For example, the researchers found that caregivers’ sleep noticeably improved after simple changes such as getting more morning sunlight, establishing a regular and relaxing bedtime routine, and doing moderate physical exercise. Chronic stress can cause sleep problems, and nighttime awakenings by people with dementia can also disrupt caregivers’ sleep, the researchers noted. […]

In the first study of its kind, Japanese researchers have found an association between eating mushrooms and a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Although the size of the effect is relatively small, the findings are likely to inspire further investigation. New research suggests that regularly eating mushrooms may reduce a person’s risk of prostate cancer. The National Cancer Institute predict that there will be 174,650 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2019. Although treatment for this type of cancer is continually improving, there is neither a cure nor any way to prevent it. However, evidence suggests that eating healthfully might reduce the risk. If scientists can identify simple dietary interventions that can reduce this risk, even by a small amount, it could make a substantial difference globally. Researchers have recently carried out a study on mushrooms, publishing their findings in the International Journal of Cancer. Why mushrooms? Mushrooms are a relatively inexpensive and widely consumed food throughout the world. In recent years, studies have begun to identify their potential disease fighting capabilities. A 2012 review claims that certain compounds in mushrooms have anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties, among others. More specifically, studies in both cultured cells […]

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New research from Germany has found that taller people have a lower risk of type 2 diabetes. Height may influence people’s diabetes risk, new research suggests. For every 10 centimeters (cms) of additional height, there was a 41% reduced risk of type 2 diabetes in males and 33% in females, according to the recent Diabetologia study. The researchers had adjusted the results to remove the potential effects of age, education, lifestyle, and waist size on diabetes risk. They suggest that the inverse relationship between height and type 2 diabetes risk could be due to less fat buildup in the liver and more favorable cardiometabolic risk factors, “specifically blood fats, adiponectin, and C-reactive protein.” Among those with a body mass index (BMI) in the overweight or obese range, the risk of type 2 diabetes reduced by 36% in males and 30% in females for every additional 10 cm of height. “This may indicate,” write the authors, “that a higher diabetes risk with larger waist circumference counteracts beneficial effects related to height, irrespective of whether larger waist circumference is due to growth or due to an energy imbalance.” Short stature and type 2 diabetes link The study is the work of scientists […]

Nutrition is at the core of health management. Without good nutrition, people face a much greater risk of developing health problems. In a new report, the World Health Organization urge all health services to place nutrition guidelines front and center going forward. A new WHO report stresses the importance of appropriate nutrition related healthcare and guidelines. The top concern of the World Health Organization (WHO) is achieving affordable and appropriate access to primary care in all communities across the globe. A key part of this plan is to make sure that national health services all over the world promote correct and helpful health guidelines for the use of healthcare practitioners and the public alike. Earlier this year, a United Nations (UN) report warned that, over the past 3 years, levels of global hunger have remained at concerning levels while, conversely, obesity has continued to rise. The UN report states that in 2018, there were 821 million chronically undernourished people in the world. This figure was a steep increase from the already concerning number of undernourishment cases — 811 million — in 2017. It further points out that, also last year, “an estimated 40 million children under 5 years of age […]

Researchers already know that excess body fat can increase the risk of diabetes, but a new study shows that one form of fat, in particular — the “invisible” one that accumulates around organs and intestines — can heighten this risk more than seven times, at least in women. The fat that accumulates around the organs is a hidden risk factor for diabetes, especially in women. Though excess body fat is a known risk for many metabolic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, recent research has been gathering evidence to show that the amount of body fat is not the only factor that contributes to risk. A study that Medical News Today covered last year explained that doctors might do well to assess where fat accumulates around the body, and not just how much there is, to understand a person’s risk of diabetes. Now, research from Uppsala University in Sweden has found that the fat that accumulates around the organs and intestines — called visceral fat — is a crucial factor that raises the risk of type 2 diabetes, particularly in women. The team — co-led by Torgny Karlsson, Ph.D. — studied the data of 325,153 individuals, which they accessed through the […]

By Len CanterHealthDay Reporter Latest Exercise & Fitness News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Doing the right amount of exercise every day is a top health goal. To make sure you’re getting all the right types of exercise, you want to get familiar with these key exercise terms. Then you can be sure these activities are all part of your weekly plan. Aerobic Exercise, AKA Cardio Aerobic exercise means activity that requires a continuous amount of oxygen to the muscles being used. For heart health, the exercise must raise your heart rate to within the ideal range for your age, usually 70% to 80% of 220 minus your age. Cardio activities include running, brisk walking, swimming and cycling. High-intensity interval training is a popular approach. Within a cardio workout, you alternate a few minutes of slow or no movement with shorter bursts of the activity at an all-out pace. Cross training is simply varying your choice of cardio activity within the same exercise session or on different days of the week. This lets you use different muscle groups, helps prevent overuse injuries and keeps things interesting. Anaerobic Exercise, AKA Strength Training You need strength training for healthy muscles, […]

By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Sexual Health News TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The United States could be approaching a state of herd immunity against human papillomavirus (HPV), a virus linked to several cancers. Oral HPV infections declined by 37% among unvaccinated 18- to 59-year-old men between 2009 and 2016, according to a Sept. 10 report in the Journal of the American Medical Association. That included a decline in infections of HPV16, the strain found in more than 9 out of 10 cases of head and neck cancer related to the virus, said senior researcher Dr. Maura Gillison, a professor of medicine at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. Researchers say men are benefitting from increased HPV vaccination rates among American women, who receive the vaccine to prevent virus-caused cervical cancer. “In contrast to cervical cancers, we have no means by which to screen for HPV-positive head and neck cancers,” Gillison said. “The vaccine is our best hope for prevention.” HPV vaccination has been recommended for girls since 2006 and for boys since 2011. The virus has been linked to cancers of the cervix, penis, anus, mouth and throat. Vaccination rates among boys and girls are steadily rising, […]

Pregnancy definition and facts* A typical pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks. *Pregnancy facts medical author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD A normal pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks and is grouped into three stages, or trimesters. Symptoms and early signs of pregnancy that begin in the first semester include: A pregnancy test measures the level of hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in the urine or blood. The test may be positive before the first signs of pregnancy develop in some women. Symptoms of late second and third trimesters of pregnancy can include: Many of the later symptoms result from the weight gain and enlarging uterus in late pregnancy. By the end of 37 weeks, a baby is considered full term and its organs are ready to function on their own. As you near your due date, your baby may turn into a head-down position for birth. Most babies “present” head down. Babies at birth typically weigh between 6 pounds 2 ounces and 9 pounds 2 ounces and are 19 to 21 inches long. Most full-term babies fall within these ranges. Pregnant or Not? How to Know To learn whether you are pregnant or not, a pregnancy test may provide you with the […]

By Serena GordonHealthDay Reporter Latest Pregnancy News TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women are often told to sleep on their left side to reduce the risk of stillbirth, but new research suggests they can choose whatever position is most comfortable through most of the pregnancy. “We can reassure women that through 30 weeks of pregnancy, different sleep positions are safe,” said study lead author Dr. Robert Silver, chairman of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Silver said the study didn’t include women past 30 weeks, so researchers can’t make any definitive statements about the last weeks of pregnancy. The research is being published in the October issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology and ahead of print online Sept. 10. Why have women been encouraged to sleep on their left sides, particularly since sleeping during pregnancy can already be uncomfortable and difficult? There is a known phenomenon that can limit blood flow during labor if a woman lies flat on her back, explained Dr. Nathan Fox, associate clinical professor in obstetrics, gynecology and reproductive science at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City. At the end of pregnancy, a […]

Date rape drugs facts* Someone may spike your drink with a date rape drug without you knowing. *Date rape facts medical author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Date rape drugs are drugs used to assist in a sexual assault, which is any type of sexual activity a person does not agree to. These drugs can affect you very quickly and cause victims to become weak, confused, and even pass out. You may not remember what happened while you were drugged. Date rape drugs can also cause seizures and even death. The most common date rape drugs — also called “club drugs” — are flunitrazepam (Rohypnol), also called roofies; gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), also called liquid ecstasy; and ketamine, also called Special K. These drugs may come as pills, liquids, or powders. Alcohol may also be considered a date rape drug because it affects judgment and behavior and can be used to help commit sexual assault. The club drug “ecstasy” (MDMA) has also been used to commit sexual assault. Protect yourself by not accepting drinks from others, not sharing drinks, watching your drink, and having a non-drinking friend with you to make sure nothing happens. If you suspect you have been […]

Latest Mental Health News WEDNESDAY, Sept. 11, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Alcohol taxes do little to reduce the burden on American taxpayers for the harmful impacts of heavy drinking, a new study finds. The cost of harm caused by excessive drinking in the United States is just over $2 per drink, with about 80 cents of that shouldered by government. But state and federal alcohol taxes bring in an average of about 21 cents per drink. That means most of the financial toll of alcohol-related harm is borne by people who drink in moderation or don’t drink at all, the study authors said. “Total alcohol taxes accounted for a median of 26.7% of the economic cost to the government, and 10.3% of the total economic cost of excessive drinking,” the researchers reported in the Sept. 11 issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs. “The disparity between alcohol-related cost to government and alcohol taxes amounts to a large taxpayer-funded subsidy of excessive drinking and alcohol companies,” senior author Dr. Timothy Naimi said in a journal news release. He’s a physician and epidemiologist at Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Public Health. Research shows that higher prices […]

By Dennis ThompsonHealthDay Reporter Latest Mental Health News TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A big floppy-faced St. Bernard saved the life of Army veteran and combat medic Brian Gliba — but not in the way you might think. Gliba first met Zeus in 2009 while battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and dealing with the medical havoc wrought by an IED blast he survived in Iraq. Zeus’ main job was to help Gliba remember to take the heavy doses of medication he required to stay alive, but Gliba soon realized his dog was providing an even more vital service. “Zeus was the whole reason I was able to go beyond and continue living,” said Gliba, 45, of Colorado Springs, Colo. “I was suicidal. I wouldn’t go out of the house. It took Zeus to give me the courage to keep going. They’ll look at you and say, ‘It’s OK, Dad, let’s go, we can do it.’ You can see it on their face.” Gliba is one of the success stories of Canines Providing Assistance to Wounded Warriors (C-PAWW), a health research initiative at the Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing in Boca Raton, Fla. C-PAWW works to advance research […]

What is the definition of low testosterone (low-T)? An underproduction of testosterone causes low-T in men and women. Testosterone is a hormone required for male development and sexual function and is produced primarily in the testicles. Testosterone is responsible for building muscle and bone mass, sperm production, and sex drive. Testosterone influences male pattern fat distribution, bone density, and red blood cell production. In the normal developing male, testosterone peaks during early adulthood. Once you reach age 30, testosterone levels slowly decline by approximately 1% a year. This is a normal part of aging. What are normal ranges or levels of testosterone in men? The low limit of testosterone levels in men is about 300 nanograms per deciliter and the upper normal limit is approximately 1000-1200 ng/dl. A low level needs to be investigated further to distinguish it from normal aging. What is low testosterone (low-T)? Low testosterone (low-T) is underproduction or lack of production of testosterone in men and women. Causes of low-T include chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, infections, obesity, or other hormonal conditions. Symptoms of low-T include: Low-T testing includes linking symptoms with testosterone blood levels. Treatment options for low-T include different forms of testosterone replacement […]

Latest Healthy Kids News TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Falling school grades could be a sign of hearing loss in children, according to the American Academy of Audiology. “A child with just minor hearing loss can be missing a significant amount of the classroom discussion,” said academy president Lisa Christensen. “There are children who have been diagnosed with a learning disability when really what they need are hearing aids,” Christensen added in an academy news release. She’s with Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. Along with struggles in the classroom, hearing problems can lead to behavioral issues, lack of focus and even depression in children. Many children with hearing loss don’t recognize that they have a problem, and parents may not recognize the signs. Look for difficulty following through with assignments and often seeming unable to understand the task. Other tipoffs include not understanding questions and either not responding or not responding appropriately. Children with hearing problems may struggle to pronounce simple words or repeat a phrase. They may also have articulation problems or language delays. Does your child often ask you to repeat things, watch your face intently in order to understand what you’re saying […]

By Steven ReinbergHealthDay Reporter Latest Infectious Disease News TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new, more toxic strain of strep A bacteria is causing an outbreak of scarlet fever among British children, researchers report. The upswing in scarlet fever is the biggest seen since the 1960s. Between 2014 and 2016, the number of cases went from 15,000 to more than 19,000. The infection tends to peak between March and May, the study found. “The new lineage [of strep A] seems to be outcompeting its predecessor within the population,” said lead researcher Dr. Shiranee Sriskandan, a professor of infectious diseases at Imperial College London. This new strain also appears to produce more toxin than the previous strain, she said. Scarlet fever is easily cured with antibiotics, especially penicillin, according to Dr. Marc Siegel, a professor of medicine at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City. If strep infections are not treated, however, they can spread throughout the body and become fatal, he said. “There are 11,000 to 15,000 cases of invasive strep among kids each year in the United States, which result in up to 1,500 deaths,” Siegel said. He fully expects this more aggressive strain of strep […]

Ulcerative Colitis Diet Plan It’s important to self-manage ulcerative colitis with healthy lifestyle habits and a nutrient-rich diet. Examples of foods to include with an ulcerative colitis diet include: Meat Fish Poultry Dairy products Read more about ulcerative colitis diet plan » What is a low residue diet? A low residue low residue diet is a diet that is designed to “rest” the bowel. It is a type of low-fiber diet with added restrictions. A low residue diet is not a diet plan to follow regularly. It is advised for some people for the short term during a flare of inflammatory bowel disease here is intestinal narrowing, before or after bowel surgery, and other conditions for which it is useful to reduce the amount of stool in the intestines. The food we eat is digested so that the body can extract the nutrients it needs to function. What’s left over is “residue” or undigested food that passes through the colon (large intestine), and is eliminated as stool or feces. A low residue diet limits fiber and other substances with the goal of reducing stool volume. This results in fewer and smaller bowel movements, potentially relieving symptoms of bowel diseases that […]

What is Crohn’s disease? Crohn’s disease can occur anywhere along the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the bowels, mainly involving the small and large intestines. Additionally, Crohn’s disease may affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Crohn’s disease has many subtypes depending on where it is in the body, such as Crohn’s colitis, Crohn’s ileitis, Crohn’s enterocolitis, and others. The most common symptoms and signs of Crohn’s disease of any type are abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. The inflammation in the bowel can cause shallow erosions and ulcer-like lesions. Some individuals have deep large ulcers that can result in scarring, stiffness, and narrowing of the bowel. Occasionally, these lesions can result in complications such as bowel obstruction or even infections in the abdominal cavity (peritonitis) if the ulcers penetrate the bowel wall. Individuals with Crohn’s disease experience cycles of remission and relapse of their symptoms and signs. What causes Crohn’s disease? The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is not known, but it is felt to be an autoimmune disease by some experts while other researchers suggest genetics may also have a role in triggering the disease. […]

What is a hiatal hernia (definition)? Hiatal hernia can cause esophageal pain. The esophagus connects the throat to the stomach. It passes through the chest and enters the abdomen through a hole in the diaphragm called the esophageal hiatus. The term hiatal hernia describes a condition where the upper part of the stomach that normally is located just below the diaphragm in the abdomen pushes or protrudes through the esophageal hiatus to rest within the chest cavity. What are the signs and symptoms of a hiatal hernia? By itself, a hiatal hernia causes no symptoms, and most are found incidentally when a person has a chest X-ray or abdominal X-rays (including upper GI series, and CT scans, where the patient swallows barium or another contrast material). It also is found incidentally during gastrointestinal endoscopy of the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (EGD). Most often if symptoms occur, they are due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) where the digestive juice containing acid from the stomach moves up into the esophagus. The stomach is a mixing bowl that allows food and digestive juices to mix together to begin the digestive process. The stomach has a protective lining that prevents acid from eating away […]

Hoarseness facts Hoarseness or raspy voice is a symptom with a number of different causes. Hoarseness is an abnormal change in the voice. The most common cause of hoarseness is acute laryngitis. The underlying cause of hoarseness can usually be diagnosed by a health care professional based on the patient’s history and physical exam. The treatment for hoarseness depends on the underlying cause. Hoarseness can be prevented by avoiding excessive strenuous voice use and smoking cessation. What is hoarseness? Hoarseness is an abnormal change in the voice caused by a variety of conditions. The voice may have changes in pitch and volume, ranging from a deep, harsh voice to a weak, raspy voice. What causes hoarseness? Hoarseness is generally caused by irritation of, or injury to, the vocal cords. The larynx (also referred to as the voice box), is the portion of the respiratory (breathing) tract containing the vocal cords. The cartilaginous outer wall of the larynx is commonly referred to as the “Adams apple.” The vocal cords are two bands of muscle that form a “V” inside the larynx. When we sing or speak, the vocal cords vibrate and produce sound. Picture of the Larynx Hoarseness can be caused […]

What are common causes of chronic diarrhea? Irritable bowel syndrome: The irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional cause of diarrhea or constipation. Inflammation does not typically exist in the affected bowel. (Nevertheless, recent information suggests that MAY be a component of inflammation in IBS.) It may be caused by several different underlying problems, but it is believed that the most common cause is rapid passage of the intestinal contents through the colon. Infectious diseases: A few infectious diseases can cause chronic diarrhea, for example, Giardia lamblia. Patients with AIDS often have chronic infections of their intestines that cause diarrhea. Bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine: Because of small intestinal problems, normal colonic bacteria may spread from the colon and into the small intestine. When they do, they are in a position to digest food that the small intestine has not had time to digest and absorb. The mechanism that leads to the development of diarrhea in bacterial overgrowth is not clear. Post-infectious: Following acute viral, bacterial, or parasitic infections, some individuals develop chronic diarrhea. The cause of this type of diarrhea is not clear, but some of the individuals may have bacterial overgrowth of the small intestine. They also […]

Hip pain facts Pain in the hip joint can have a variety of causes. Pain in the hip joint can be temporary of chronic. There are many causes of hip pain. The treatment of hip pain depends on its particular cause. What is the anatomy of the hip? The hip joint is where the ball of the thigh bone (femur) joins the pelvis at a socket called the acetabulum. There is cartilage covering both the bone of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis in the hip joint. A joint lining tissue, called synovium, surrounds the hip joint. The synovium tissue produces fluid that lubricates the joint and provides nutrients to the cartilage of the joint. The ligaments around the hip joint attach the femur bone to the bony pelvis. There are a number of muscles and tendons that glide around the hip joint. Tiny fluid-filled sacs, called bursae, provide gliding surfaces for muscles and tendons around the hip joint. Major arteries and veins pass the front of the hip joint. The largest nerve of the body, the sciatic nerve, passes behind the hip joint. The hip joint is one the large joints of the body and serves in […]

What are leukemia treatment options? There are a number of different medical approaches to the treatment of leukemia. Treatment will typically depend upon the type of leukemia, the patient’s age and health status, as well as whether or not the leukemia cells have spread to the cerebrospinal fluid. The genetic changes or specific characteristics of the leukemia cells as determined in the laboratory can also determine the type of treatment that may be most appropriate. Watchful waiting may be an option for some people with a chronic leukemia who do not have symptoms. This involves close monitoring of the disease so that treatment can begin when symptoms develop. Watchful waiting allows the patient to avoid or postpone the side effects of treatment. The risk of waiting is that it may eliminate the possibility of controlling the leukemia before it worsens. Treatments for leukemia include chemotherapy (major treatment modality for leukemia), radiation therapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, and stem cell transplant. Combinations of these treatments may be used. Surgical removal of the spleen can be a part of treatment if the spleen is enlarged. Acute leukemia needs to be treated when it is diagnosed, with the goal of inducing a remission […]

Latest Cancer News TUESDAY, Sept. 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Cancer takes a huge emotional toll on patients, but a new study finds the financial costs are also so high that many are resorting to crowdfunding to help pay their medical bills and related costs. “The financial consequences of cancer care for patients and their families are substantial,” said senior and corresponding author Dr. Benjamin Breyer, chief of urology at University of California, San Francisco’s (UCSF) partner hospital Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center. “It has been shown previously that patients with cancer, particularly those who are underinsured or lack insurance entirely, may sell possessions or go into debt or bankruptcy to pay for costs associated with care,” Breyer said in a university news release. “We wanted to gauge how crowdfunding is being used to support oncology care needs, including the financial effect of insurance,” he explained. The researchers analyzed more than 1,000 fundraising campaigns for U.S. cancer patients listed on GoFundMe.com on Oct. 7, 2018. The patients had the 20 most common cancers, including breast cancer, leukemia, lung, brain, colon and pancreatic cancer. Nearly 32% had the most advanced cancer stage (stage 4), about 42% had received […]

CT scan vs. MRI quick comparison of differences Picture: A medical technician prepares a patient for an MRI to check for a possible brain tumor CT scans utilize X-rays to form images inside the body while MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) uses powerful magnetic fields and radiofrequency pulses to produce detailed pictures of organs and other internal body structures. CT scans use radiation (X-rays), and MRIs do not. MRIs provide more detailed information about the inner organs (soft tissues) such as the brain, skeletal system, reproductive system and other organ systems than is provided by a CT scan. CT scans are quick, painless, and noninvasive. MRI scans are not invasive, but they are noisy, take more time, and may cause claustrophobia (anxiety due to being in the enclosed space of the machine). MRI scans are costlier than CT scans. MRI scanners may cause a safety issue due to its strong magnets. What is a CT scan? What is an MRI? A CT (computerized tomography) scan is a combination of a series of X-ray images taken at different angles; the CT uses a computer to create images from these X-rays. An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a scan that uses magnetic fields […]

Taking a daytime nap once or twice a week may halve the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure. New research suggests that napping during the day could protect heart health, after all. This is the main takeaway of an observational study appearing in the BMJ journal Heart. Nadine Häusler, Ph.D., from the department of internal medicine at Lausanne University Hospital, in Switzerland, is the first author of the study. As Häusler and colleagues explain in their paper, much controversy has surrounded the relationship between daytime napping and cardiovascular health. Some previous studies, referenced by the authors, have found a lower risk of coronary heart disease among daytime nappers, while others have found a higher risk of cardiac events or cardiovascular mortality among those who regularly nap during the day. To help settle the controversy, Häusler and the team set out to examine the link between napping and fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events in a cohort of 3,462 adults in Switzerland. Studying naps and cardiovascular events Häusler and colleagues had access to medical data from participants in the CoLaus cohort study. The participants were between 35 and 75 years of age when they enrolled in […]

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